Lethal Peril_Military Romantic Suspense

by Emily Jane Trent

  “Okay, thanks,” Beth said, and headed for the door. “I’ll call you…promise.”

  Wyatt followed her down the hall, while Beth called her brother. “Just voicemail,” she said. “I’m worried. This isn’t like Kyle.”

  “It doesn’t make sense.”

  “Maybe he’s still at home, although I don’t know why he would be this late in the morning,” Beth said, then frowned. “Unless he’s sick, but I can’t imagine he would be so ill that he couldn’t call in.”

  “Let’s go,” Wyatt said.

  *****

  When Beth arrived and stepped onto the sidewalk, the neighborhood was quiet. Wyatt hopped out and followed her up the walkway. She was anxious to find her brother and be sure he was all right. It was weird for him to be out of touch.

  Wyatt stepped up to the door, then gave Beth an odd look. The door was ajar. He rang the doorbell, but when there was no response, Wyatt motioned for her to stand against the wall. Crouching, he withdrew his gun and held it in front of his body.

  Beth’s heart pounded. She could hardly breathe, unsure what Wyatt would find inside. A twinge of fear went up her spine. What if there was an attacker hiding and waiting? She couldn’t bear the thought of Wyatt getting injured. And what the hell had happened to her brother?

  After what seemed like an eternity, Wyatt returned. He opened the door and waved her in. “There’s nobody in here.”

  The place was a mess. The upscale condo looked like a war zone. Beth put her hand over her mouth. “Oh, my God…where is Kyle?”

  “I don’t know,” Wyatt said. “But he had visitors, and it seems they were after something.”

  Beth looked around, trying to figure out what anyone would want with her brother, or what he had that was of so much interest. But she came up dry. She had no clue what had happened here.

  Wyatt methodically searched along with her. She marveled at how calm he seemed under duress. Books were in disarray on the carpet, tables overturned, and a vase was shattered on the floor.

  “I can’t tell if the crooks were actually looking for something or just creating chaos,” Beth said. She feared the worst for her brother. Too many times, she’d narrowly escaped with her life. Would he be as lucky?

  Wyatt called to her from down the hallway, and she found him in the library. It was as much of a disaster as the rest of the house.

  Reaching high, Wyatt ran his finger over the top of an oak bookcase, then followed the seam along the side next to the wall. Beth watched as he gripped the sides of the case, and pulled. The right side moved, and the bookcase swung away from the wall.

  Beth moved closer. Behind the bookcase was a steel door. “What the…?”

  “It’s a hidden room,” Wyatt said. “We need to get inside.” He pointed to the security keypad. “Any guesses?”

  Beth shook her head. “I don’t know what he’d use for a passcode, unless it’s the same as he used on his computer. But I don’t think he’s that clueless.”

  Wyatt eyed the touchpad. “His laptop is on his desk, so whatever the intruders wanted probably wasn’t on his hard drive. But you can check; maybe the password is stored.”

  Beth retrieved the computer and put it on her lap. She tried various files and records, but didn’t find anything that looked promising. Then she remembered Kyle’s filing system. She’d thought it was confusing, but he’d persisted in using it, claiming that he could find what he wanted.

  Clicking around, Beth discovered a personal file labeled generically as New File. What better way to hide something than to disguise it as unimportant? She gave it a try and located a code. “Try this,” she said to Wyatt, and read the sequence.

  The keypad beeped each time the letter or number was correct. Wyatt tapped in the code, and there was a loud click, like a metal bolt opening. He held up his hand for Beth to stay back, then slowly opened the tall metal door.

  Wyatt stood in the doorway, and Beth came up behind him. Inside, slumped against the wall, was her brother. She rushed over and dropped beside him. “Kyle…are you okay?”

  Her brother looked dazed, and he rubbed his hands over his eyes. “You don’t know how glad I am to see you. I didn’t know if it was safe to come out.”

  Wyatt extended a hand. “Here, let me help you up.”

  Once Kyle was comfortable on the sofa, Beth got him a glass of water. She waited patiently for him to snap out of it. Her brother leaned his head on the cushion and stared up at the ceiling.

  “What happened? Are you hurt?” Beth sat on the sofa next to her brother.

  Kyle sat up and raked his hands through his hair. “I could have been killed.” His eyes were glassy. “Thank God for that room.”

  “I didn’t know it was there,” Beth said. “When did you have that put in?”

  “The previous owners installed it. I guess it’s a panic room, and it’s something I wouldn’t have imagined I’d need.” Kyle let out a long, slow breath.

  “I was getting ready for work, and I heard noises. I was here in the library, getting a reference to take with me,” he said. “I heard someone break in, and when I peeked into the hall, I saw two men wearing ski masks.”

  “Jesus,” Beth said.

  “I quickly ducked into the panic room and pushed the button to close the bookcase from the inside. And not a second too soon, I’m sure.” Kyle shook his head. “That room is soundproof, and I had no way of knowing what was going on out here.”

  “I’m glad we found you,” Wyatt said. “No telling how long you’d have been barricaded in there otherwise.”

  “I couldn’t believe it was you,” Kyle said. “I thought I was dead. I prayed they’d assume I’d fled, but for all I knew, those men were waiting. And the walls of the room are steel reinforced. My cell phone didn’t work. I was trapped.”

  Beth hugged her brother. “What a terrible ordeal.”

  “I don’t know who they were, or what they wanted from me,” Kyle said.

  Wyatt paced the carpet. “I have an idea, but your sister needs to tell you something first.”

  Kyle furrowed his brow. “Does it have something to do with the threats against you, Beth?”

  “It’s more than just me. Father is in danger too. And now you.” Beth proceeded to tell her brother about her recent discovery. “Uncle Martin will do anything to get what he wants. Our father is being held captive, drugged into incoherency, so he can’t fight back.”

  “This is a disaster,” Kyle said. “But does this mean that Father isn’t ill at all?”

  “It looks that way,” Wyatt said. “We won’t know for sure until he gets off the meds.”

  “And that’s where you come in, Kyle. You can demand a change of physician for our father. No doctor in his right mind would prescribe those deadly drugs.” Beth put her hand on her brother’s arm. “You have to help. There’s no other way.”

  Kyle slumped against the sofa. “I don’t think we stand a chance against Uncle Martin. He’s teamed up with hired killers. How are we supposed to combat that?”

  “Listen, Kyle, we’re all still alive, aren’t we?” Wyatt said, and her brother nodded. “I’m here to make sure it stays that way. So you listen to your sister’s plan, and do your part.” He paused, but Kyle didn’t offer any more objections. “You do that, and I’ll make sure we all stay safe.”

  Beth wasn’t sure if her brother trusted that Wyatt could make good on that promise, but he acquiesced and let her tell him what she needed. She carefully detailed how it would work, and acted as confident as she could. Her brother didn’t need to know that she was concerned too. He just had to believe it would turn out well.

  “Okay, I’m with you, then,” Kyle said. “He’s our father. You must know that I wouldn’t turn away, no matter how afraid I am. I don’t see that there’s any other option than what you suggest.”

  *****

  The disarray at Kyle’s place was left as it was, and Wyatt drove to Thomas Stapleton’s office. On the way, Beth called to let h
im know she was coming. As soon as they arrived, the secretary buzzed the attorney, and he came out to get them.

  Beth had been to the office many times before, but not for such a dire reason. She was grateful that the family attorney was familiar with her affairs. It would make it simpler to explain the urgency.

  Thomas gave them a polite greeting, then escorted them to his office. The mahogany bookshelves and desk shone brightly. The windows looked out to other high-rises, and the sun was bright that day. The attorney pulled up three leather chairs to his desk, and motioned for them to sit.

  He took his seat and looked across at Beth. “Now, what’s this all about?”

  As clearly as she could, Beth told him the situation, taking care to cover each important detail. She didn’t want to come across as overly emotional, as he might not trust the facts. But she did have the chemical analysis of the medication.

  When Thomas read it, he raised his eyebrows. “Did you talk to the lab?”

  Beth relayed what she’d learned. “As you can see, my uncle has put my father in danger.”

  Thomas steepled his fingertips and took a moment to digest this news. Kyle and Wyatt looked on.

  “These are serious allegations,” Thomas said. “And since Martin is family, I have to consider whether there’s a conflict of interest here.”

  Beth held her breath.

  Then Thomas smiled. “But you needn’t worry about that. Your uncle failed to pay his bills, and I haven’t represented him for some time.”

  “So what do you think?” Beth asked.

  “Your uncle has abused his authority, and that is grounds to request that the power of attorney be invalidated. That will restore any decisions, concerning his health or affairs, to your father. And if he cannot handle matters on his own, then, per his living will, Kyle will step in.”

  Kyle sat up straighter. “And what about his treatment? Am I on solid ground in demanding that his doctor be replaced?”

  “I would say so. Once he’s recovered, I’ll file a malpractice suit against that quack who has been treating him, if your father agrees to pursue action against him.”

  “Isn’t the nurse guilty also?” Beth said.

  “It’s routine for nurses to dole out medication as prescribed by the doctor,” Thomas said. “But, as I said, the doctor is another matter. I’ll deal with him once your father is safe.”

  “Don’t I need some paperwork to take with me to the facility?” Kyle said.

  “I’ll do better than that,” Thomas said. “I’ll bring a copy of the living will, and I’ll accompany you.”

  “How soon will this happen?” Beth said.

  “Invalidating a legal document takes time, but I’m friends with a capable judge, and he owes me a favor. I’ll contact him tonight and ask him to start the process.”

  Beth’s heart sank. “So we have to wait?”

  “I don’t recommend it. While the legal procedure runs its course, I can get a temporary stay. It will keep your uncle at bay until we get all of this straightened out,” Thomas said. “You’re doing the right thing. Your father’s going to be fine.”

  Kyle arranged to meet the attorney in the morning, and make a visit to the care facility. Before then, he’d contact his father’s primary care physician and request that he meet them there to take over the care, including all prescriptions. Thomas would notify the current doctor that he was off the case, with other actions pending.

  *****

  Back at the car, Wyatt said, “As much as I enjoy this Corvette, I have to return it to the owner.” He drove back to the hotel and left the keys where he’d found them. Then he sent a text for pick-up.

  “Let’s go inside and get something to eat,” Beth said. “We can regroup.”

  Kyle seemed relieved not to be left on his own. The downstairs restaurant had an available table, and the greeter promptly seated them. While waiting for the food, they sipped their drinks and nibbled on bread.

  “I want to see Father again, but I shouldn’t go near the place. I seem to attract too much attention wherever I go,” Beth said. “And I’m sure that nurse will be on the lookout for me.”

  “Did you have a theory about why those men were after me?” Kyle said, looking at Wyatt.

  “Word travels fast, and I’m sure Beth’s visit was hot news. Those dudes who followed us would have called in after they lost us, plus our trusty nurse would have been on the phone the instant we left.”

  Kyle raised his brows. “What does that have to do with me?”

  “I’ll tell you…if we can figure out that you’re able to intercede on your father’s behalf, then Martin can too. I’m sure he knew all along, which is one reason that he stayed on good terms with you.”

  “Bamboozled me, you mean?” Kyle said. “I still can’t believe I was so blind.”

  “Your uncle can’t have you screwing things up this late in the game. If your father is taken off those drugs, he’s likely to recover his memory. And your uncle certainly doesn’t want that.”

  “Now I’m a target, too,” Kyle said, throwing up his hands. “Great. I might not live through the night.”

  “Don’t assume the worst,” Wyatt said. “You’re safe in this hotel, so I suggest you get a room and stay here for now.”

  “And what about in the morning?”

  “Hang on a second, and I’ll tell you.” Wyatt typed on his phone, and Beth guessed he was texting Stealth.

  When he was done, Wyatt looked over at Kyle. “It’s all set. My boss is sending in backup. Hunter Davis is a capable man; you’ll be in good hands.”

  “He’s here in New York?” Beth said.

  “Not yet, but Travis is putting him on the company jet, red-eye. He’ll be here by morning,” Wyatt said. “He’ll be your bodyguard until this is over.”

  “I’ll sure feel a lot safer with him along when I go out to the care facility tomorrow,” Kyle said.

  Beth patted her brother’s arm. “Stick with us; we won’t let anything happen to you.”

  “I’ll have to take that on faith,” Kyle said, looking at Beth. “So…what are you going to do now?”

  “You’ll see…just focus on staying safe and taking care of Dad. I’ll deal with the rest of it.”

  Chapter 17

  Martin stood in the shower, staring at the marble wall. His muscles ached and his sinuses were on fire. If he could keep up the pretense at Foster just a little longer, the money would start rolling in. A drug drop-off had been made, and another was scheduled.

  He felt warm liquid on his upper lip and put his hand up to his nose. Blood ran over his fingers, then the water washed it away, but it kept coming. Red flowed to the tile floor and swirled at the drain. He could smell his own blood.

  Tipping his head back and squeezing the bridge of his nose, Martin tried to stop the bleeding. The damn nosebleeds were annoying. When the blood dried up, he got out and dried off. The hot shower hadn’t stilled his shaking, and he had the chills.

  He had sleep issues, and had developed a habit of setting up lines of cocaine on his glass-topped nightstand, to numb the pain each time he woke up. Only it didn’t really do that, or not for long. And during the day, after a sleepless night, he sought the solace of a drug-induced high.

  On and on, he chased the high, but the effect was too brief. Years ago, maybe months—his memory wasn’t what it had been—he’d snorted once a week. It had started at parties, just to feel good and join the fun. God knew his life had been a mess even then. And it had felt good, he was sure. So much that he had snorted every few days, then every day, and now…

  Martin wrapped the towel around his waist and looked in the mirror. The dark circles under his eyes and sallow skin were a sign. He looked like he’d aged years in the past few weeks. Happiness eluded him, and he wondered if he’d find it again.

  The highs where he felt invincible were harder and harder to get. He snorted more and more often, but that feeling was elusive. The drug could make him feel lik
e a rock star, but it also smashed him back to reality just as easily.

  Jockeying between exhilaration and depression, thoughts of suicide crept into his mind, urging him to end it all. That was crazy thinking. He had his whole future ahead of him, and a chance to be one of the wealthiest men in the city. That would change it all, give him another chance.

  After dressing, Martin did a line, just to get him over the hump. He had to go to the office, and he couldn’t very well arrive in the shape he was in. It seemed others were out to get him. If it wasn’t Chen or his mob boss, it was Beth, or her ignorant brother Kyle. It was always someone, but he wouldn’t let it get to him—he would beat them all.

  *****

  The nightmare continued—as soon as Martin arrived at Foster, the head of IT buzzed him. It couldn’t be good news; it rarely was. Clive Thames had been director of the technical division for years. He was competent and not prone to errors. When he relayed information, his facts weren’t often questioned.

  When the director waved toward a chair, Martin sat. His mental state was marginally better, but he wasn’t amped enough to endure bad news. “You need to tell me something?”

  Clive leaned back and narrowed his eyes. “Since you requested that we keep a close eye on Kyle’s computer, there’s been activity.” He frowned. “Care to share why you’re so interested?”

  That ticked him off. Who did this Clive think he was to question Martin’s authority? He rose from the chair, and barely restrained his impulse to pummel the guy—one more asshole against him. Temper whipsawed through him, and he snapped, “It’s not for you to know. Tell me what you have and quit wasting my time.”

  The air between them was taut enough to snap. Clive glared at him, as if he might refuse to do his job. Then he spoke, his tone strictly professional. “Someone has set up remote access to Kyle’s computer and has recently used it.”

  It must have been Beth. “Can you trace it, and locate the person filtering out information?”